Harris County, Microsoft teaming up against mosquitoes

Updated 1:07 pm, Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Microsoft has invited Harris County Public Health to participate in Project Premonition, a research project aimed at reducing mosquito-borne diseases using cutting-edge technology.

The project has been piloted outside the United States, but this is the first time a U.S.-based program will test the computerized mosquito traps.

The traps are able to detect and transmit a range of data, such as the time each mosquito was trapped and the temperature, barometric pressure and humidity at the moment of capture. The system will allow Harris County Public Health entomologists to track specific mosquitoes that could carry harmful diseases.

"This will allow us to proactively fight disease-carrying mosquitoes in a targeted manner, increasing our capability to protect our residents from mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika," said Dr. Umair A. Shah, Harris County Public Health executive director.

Ten traps will be placed in the Houston and Harris County area this month. In addition, the Project Premonition team will be working on ways in which drone technology can be used to detect mosquito hotspots as well as deploy and collect the traps.

Typically at this time of year, the number of dogs and cats available for adoption at Friendswood Animal Control, 3000 W. Parkwood Ave., is higher than usual. Until the end of the month, the adoption fee on all dogs and puppies is only $50.